Probably were running for some Democratic spot on this elections ticket; and herd that Obama was coming to whip up support for them!
"...and herd that Obama was..."
The same thing happened with a bunch of Democrat turkeys who were also running for office.
President Obama was offended when the birds told him *NOT* to attend any of their campaign stops.
He was visibly angry and felt that their treatment of him as the standing President of the United States was very fowl.